Sunderland 0 Blackburn 0: Bosses have few regrets as Light show ends in a replay

25 January 2009 00:11
The Ful guy: Sunderland's goalkeeper Marton Fulop collides with team mate Danny Collins (bottom)   More... Sunderland 0 Blackburn 0: How the game unfolded SUNDERLAND NEWS FROM ACROSS THE WEB BLACKBURN NEWS FROM ACROSS THE WEB Hartlepool 0 West Ham 2 Chelsea 3 Ipswich 1 Doncaster 0 Aston Villa 0 Hull 2 Millwall 0 Kettering 2 Fulham 4 Portsmouth 0 Swansea 2 Sheff United 2 Charlton 1 Torquay 0 Coventry 1 Watford 4 C Palace 3 West Brom 2 Burnley 2 Wolverhampton 1 Middlesbrough 2 Neither manager seemed overly concerned about the lack of entertainment for a crowd only half the size of the one drawn by the corresponding League game on Boxing Day. Sbragia insisted: 'I needed to give game-time to players who have been on the fringe lately, but I still picked a team to win the match, and it was a tight affair with few chances.' Allardyce admitted: 'It was scrappy, but we had good chances near the end. At least we are showing excellent defensive qualities and that, more than anything, is pleasing.' Over the Rover: Blackburn's keeper Paul Robinson dives at the feet of David Healy Pointing out that his side have achieved five clean sheets in his unbeaten six games in charge since taking over from Paul Ince, the Blackburn boss added: 'Apart from five minutes of madness against Manchester City, we've been exemplary. It is a foundation for a successful side because you always have to start with the defence.' Blackburn seem to enjoy the North-East more than any other part of the country - their immunity from defeat in this part of the world now stretches back 14 games and almost four years. Allardyce's major concern last night was another injury to Australian midfielder Vince Grella, after a nasty challenge from Andy Reid.  No way through: Blackburn's Stephen Warnock thwarts Carlos Edwards 'It was a late challenge but the referee missed it,' added Allardyce. 'Vince has stud marks just below the knee, and he couldn't carry on. We don't know the extent of the injury yet, but he's had a terrible run of luck, and we're concerned.' Ryan Nelsen and Christopher Samba dwarfed Sunderland's reserve strike pair of David Healy and Michael Chopra, who never got a look-in. Sunderland's best chance fell to defender Pascal Chimbonda, who missed by inches. He also cleared a Morten Gamst Pedersen shot off the line at the other end.  

Source: Daily_Mail